Migration Trajectories : A case Study of High Skilled Youths in Nigeria

Abstract: Nigeria is one of the most populous countries in the world. It is considered the giant of Africa due to its population density. Nigeria has had its history of emigration more than immigration. In the 1970s, most Nigeria emigrated permanently to the Western world to further their higher education; some emigrated for better opportunities. However, the emigration of Nigerian high- skilled youths has increased significantly in recent years. Using a qualitative design, this thesis is carried out to understand the factor(s) contributing to the emigration of Nigerian's younger generations of citizens. The issue of youth emigration in Nigeria is highly important due to the limited focus on emigration in Africa. By looking into youth emigration in Nigeria, this research shifts focus from Euro-centric immigration and contributes to the debate. The study reveals that there are more than one factors that influence the decision of high-skilled youth when deciding to emigrate.